People for Education started in 1996. It began with a passionate group of Toronto parents concerned about fundraising in public schools, the broader restructuring of public services in Ontario, and the polarization in the public dialogue about public education. From the beginning, our goal was to represent public education itself, as opposed to being on a “side” in the education debate. Over time, we have grown to become a unique organization in Canada — independent, non-partisan, and dedicated to using evidence and research as a springboard for dialogue, policy analysis, and a better way forward for us all.

The survey

In 1998, we launched the Annual Ontario School Survey – which goes to each of Ontario’s 5,000 publicly funded schools, and tracks the impact of funding and policy changes on resources and programs. Each year, we publish reports based on the data we collect. The goal is to engage policymakers, educators, parents, and the broader public in thinking about education policy, and to shine a light on the wide range of factors that affect student success. Learn more.

The conference

Since 1998, we have been holding an annual conference — bringing together parents, academics, educators, policy-makers, students and community organizations to connect with and learn from each other. The conference is an opportunity to learn about the latest research and build links across sectors focused on children and young people. Learn more.

Competencies beyond the 3R’s

In 2013, working with experts from across Canada and around the world, we launched our largest project to date: Measuring What Matters, a multi-year initiative to identify the competencies and skills that matter most in the 21^st century, and how measurement and assessment of these competencies could function as lever of positive change in the public education system. Learn more.

Working tables: Collaboration for change

We bring together experts and stakeholders to tackle big challenges in public education. We are collaborating with organizations such as the Brookings Institution, Unicef Canada, the Canadian Institute of Wellbeing, the Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, York University, and the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. By working together, learning from each other, and sharing our knowledge, we develop policy-ready solutions that lay the groundwork for real change. Learn more.

Looking to the future

Canadians are living in a time of profound economic, social, and technological transformation, and young people are navigating a world in which their future is at once exciting and uncertain.

At People for Education, we are asking the question: How can we ensure that the public education system responds effectively to society’s evolving needs?

We have exciting initiatives in development: sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming projects and events.